Food processing apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing apparatuses with near-infrared light sources and sensors face mechanical damage and discoloration issues due to abrasive food ingredients, affecting the accuracy of macronutrient measurement, and current solutions that relocate light entry and exit points result in low signal-to-noise ratios and impracticality.
Innovation Solution
A food processing apparatus with an optical component arranged within a channel in the processing chamber, featuring a protective element and a mirror component with a hard glass protective layer, positioned to minimize mechanical damage and maintain a clear light path, and a system integrating a near-infrared light source, sensor, and control unit to determine macronutrient amounts based on reflected spectra.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the optical component is placed in the food processing chamber to enable NIR spectroscopy measurement, then the macronutrient evaluation functionality is achieved, but the optical component is exposed to mechanical damage and discoloration from abrasive food ingredients
Solution Approach 1:
The optical component is segmented from the main food processing environment by positioning it on the external surface of the processing chamber. This allows the NIR measurement function to be maintained while physically separating the optical component from abrasive food ingredients, resolving the contradiction between functionality and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A channel or passage is introduced as an intermediary structure that allows NIR light to penetrate through the processing chamber wall to reach the food sample. This intermediary pathway enables optical measurement without direct exposure of the optical component to the food processing environment, maintaining both functionality and component integrity.
2Reliability
If the light entry and exit points are relocated away from high food flow areas to prevent damage, then the optical component protection is improved, but the signal-to-noise ratio decreases and the solution becomes impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The processing chamber wall is given different properties at different locations: it is made optically transparent or translucent in the specific region where the channel is formed to allow NIR light passage, while other areas can be opaque. This localized optical property enables light transmission at the measurement point without compromising the overall structural integrity and protection of optical components.
3Strength
If a protective layer is applied to the optical component, then the mechanical damage resistance is improved, but the light reflection and spectrum measurement accuracy may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The optical component is constructed using composite material structure with an outer layer that provides mechanical protection while maintaining optical transparency to NIR wavelengths. This composite structure combines the protective properties needed for durability with the optical properties needed for accurate spectroscopy measurements, resolving the contradiction between strength and measurement precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces mechanical damage to optical components, maintains a high signal-to-noise ratio, and allows for accurate determination of macronutrient amounts in food stuffs, enhancing the reliability and practicality of macronutrient measurement in food processing devices.
Implementation Method 1
an optical component configured to reflect emitted near-infrared light from the near-infrared light source towards the sensor
Implementation Method 2
Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is one of the known techniques for evaluation of macronutrients in food stuff. Near-infrared light is defined as the wavelength region from 730 to 2500 nm
Implementation Method 3
Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is one of the known techniques for evaluation of macronutrients in food stuff
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a food processing apparatus (100) for use with a near-infrared light source and a sensor. The apparatus comprises a food processing chamber (110) configured to receive a food stuff, a food processing unit (120) configured to process the food stuff in the food processing chamber, and an optical component (130) configured to reflect emitted near-infrared light from the near-infrared light source towards the sensor, wherein the optical component is arranged at the food processing unit or a channel formed in the food processing chamber.